Since when did the word “Christian” have a bad connotation? Since when did I become ashamed to be associated with that title? Since when did the church become a place of judgment and fear?
One of my favorite stories in the bible is in John 8:7 “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first one to throw a stone at her”. I wish I could put this up on a poster and hang it in every church and home. It’s so easy for us to forget this verse and cast judgment upon others. In one of my favorite songs there is a verse that states, “Church is where I found God but also learned to judge”. The church used to be a place meant to gather in love and unity under God. It was a “safe place” for the soul, a place to reconnect to the one who loves us. Over the years the church turned from a place where people gathered to love to a place where people gathered to judge.
In the bible Jesus would speak to the public when he would travel from town to town. People from all backgrounds and walks of life would be in the crowd listening to him speak truth. Prostitutes, beggars, loyalty, disciples, thieves, sick, the elderly, anyone and all were welcome to listen. He would gravitate towards the man with leprosy, he would make the prostitute pick her head up from shame, He would humble the rich and drown them in grace. He never told someone they couldn’t listen or be a part of his love, he encouraged those outsiders to listen, He invited them in. ARE YOU INVITING PEOPLE IN OR ARE YOU HOLDING UP A KEEP OUT SIGN?
We have never been put in the place where we have the right to judge and or determine whether or not someone is worthy of God’s love. Here is a reality check to those who think certain people aren’t worthy…..ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS AIR IN THEIR LUNGS AND HAS A BEATING HEART HAS A PLACE IN THE CHURCH AND A RIGHT TO BE LOVED BY GOD AND OTHERS. You don’t have the right to tell the gay couple they can’t come to the church, you don’t have a right to tell the drug addict they can’t come to the church, and you don’t have the right to tell the prostitute she doesn’t have a right to come to the church.
THE PEOPLE THAT WE LEAVE OUT AND DON’T INVITE ARE THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT GOD WOULD INVITE. Everybody has a seat at Gods table so what gives you or the church the right to tell them they can’t sit down at their own seat. If they can’t sit down then you can’t sit down either. WE NEED TO SHOW COMPASSION AND LOVE TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
WE TURNED A WORD INTO AN EXCUSE FOR US TO JUDGE AND HURT OTHERS. The word Christian was based off of love, based off of unity, based off of freedom for all under God. WE NOW USE THE WORD CHRISTIAN AS A WEAPON AGAINST OTHERS AND IM ASHAMED. I’m ashamed that instead of loving others we are making them feel alone. I’m ashamed that we are pushing people away from God because of our actions. I’m ashamed that we put ourselves higher than others just for the fact that we call ourselves Christian.
BEING A CHRISTIAN DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE EXCUSE TO THINK YOU ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS.
We should be inviting people to church instead of telling them all the reasons why they shouldn’t go. Look to your left and look to your right, we all have sinned so what makes that persons’ sin worse than yours? Who said you can play God? We have gotten everything so twisted and it breaks my heart. Instead of promoting love we are promoting judgment.
We should be able to come as we are and be accepted right there and then. You are worthy no matter who you love or what you do. Nobody has the power to take God’s love away from you. At the end of the day a church is just a of bricks but your relationship is your life. Nothing can come between you and God so don’t let bricks tell you whether or not God will accept you. Love yourself and keep following God. Use the title Christian as a way to love people, not judge. Be proud of who you are and know that God is the only one who has the right to judge.